Apricots adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemon basil's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
lemon basil
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
A variety of sweet basil with a distinctive lemony-anise character from linalool and citral compounds (similar to lemon balm but more intensely basil-forward).…
10 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum var. citriodorum) occupies a space between sweet basil and lemon verbena — the characteristic basil anise-clove notes are present but softened by the lemon character from citral and linalool. In Thai cooking, maenglak (Thai lemon basil) is one of three basils commonly used — it appears in certain curries and is particularly prized fresh in soups and as a garnish where its lightness contrasts with the heavier, more anise-forward Thai holy basil. The leaves are smaller than Italian sweet basil and somewhat more delicate. In Italian cooking, lemon basil makes an excellent addition to pesto when mixed with sweet basil (reducing the clove note and adding freshness), or in preparations where basil's pungency would overwhelm a delicate ingredient. With fish, lemon basil is particularly effective — the citrus-basil combination is a natural partner for seafood. Like all fresh basil, it should be added at the last moment and never cooked.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
apricots
berries
cinnamon
desserts
fish
peaches
seafood
shellfish
soups
vegetables
apricots
Apricots adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemon basil's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
berries
Berries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemon basil's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemon basil's natural base notes.
desserts
Desserts complements lemon basil by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
fish
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemon basil's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
peaches
Peaches adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemon basil's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
seafood
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemon basil's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
shellfish
Shellfish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemon basil's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
soups
Soups adds liquid seasoning and structure that helps lemon basil integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like a garnish with ambition.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving lemon basil more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Berries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemon basil's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemon basil's natural base notes.
desserts
Desserts complements lemon basil by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemon basil's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
Peaches adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemon basil's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemon basil's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
Shellfish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemon basil's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
soups
Soups adds liquid seasoning and structure that helps lemon basil integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like a garnish with ambition.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving lemon basil more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.